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LA Galaxy Defender Omar Gonzalez Wins 2009 MLS Rookie Of The Year

November 12, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009) - Major League Soccer today announced that LA Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez captured the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year award. Gonzalez started and played all 30 of the Galaxy's regular season games and helped the club improve its defense from statistically the worst in 2008 to one of the best during the 2009 season.

The 21-year old defender from Dallas, Texas, becomes the second consecutive Galaxy defender to win the award. Teammate Sean Franklin received the honor in 2008. Gonzalez received the most votes in polling of media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers. All first-year players in MLS without previous professional experience were considered for the Rookie of the Year award.

Gonzalez, selected with the third overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Maryland, impressed coaches enough during the preseason that they thrust him into the starting role at the center of the backline with veteran Gregg Berhalter. The former NCAA All-American was one of only 14 players in the League to play in all 30 regular season games and ranked second among rookies with 2,672 minutes played, behind only Darrius Barnes (2,700 minutes) of the New England Revolution.

The 6-foot, 5-inch, 210-pound, defender was an imposing force on the backline for the Galaxy this season. His size and range were key factors in the most dramatic defensive turnaround in League history, as the Galaxy allowed only 31 goals in 2009 compared to 62 goals allowed the previous season. Gonzalez also scored one goal and added one assist in his rookie season.

Gonzalez has represented the United States at the Under-17 and Under-20 levels. In 2005, he played at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru. He appeared in two games at the tournament as the U.S. team was eliminated in the Quarterfinals by the Netherlands. In 2007 he played for the U.S. Under-20's at the Pan-American Games. Gonzalez and the Galaxy are in action on Friday when they host the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Championship at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Gatorade Rookie of the Year Winners

2009: Omar Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy

2008: Sean Franklin - Los Angeles Galaxy

2007: Maurice Edu - Toronto FC

2006: Jonathan Bornstein - Chivas USA

2005: Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution

2004: Clint Dempsey - New England Revolution

2003: Damani Ralph - Chicago Fire

2002: Kyle Martino - Columbus Crew

2001: Rodrigo Faria - MetroStars

2000: Carlos Bocanegra - Chicago Fire

1999: Jay Heaps - Miami Fusion

1998: Ben Olsen - D.C. United

1997: Mike Duhaney - Tampa Bay Mutiny

1996: Steve Ralston - Tampa Bay Mutiny

2009 Major League Soccer Awards Finalists

Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists

Zach Thornton - Chivas USA

Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC

Donovan Ricketts - Los Angeles Galaxy

Fair Play Finalists - Individual

Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC

Pat Onstad - Houston Dynamo

Steve Ralston - New England Revolution

Visa Defender of the Year Finalists

Geoff Cameron - Houston Dynamo

Jhon Kennedy Hurtado - Seattle Sounders FC

Chad Marshall - Columbus Crew

adidas Referee of the Year Finalists

Alex Prus

Ricardo Salazar

Kevin Stott

adidas Assistant Referee of the Year

Greg Barkey

Nathan Clement

Joe Fletcher

Newcomer of the Year

Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC

Freddie Ljungberg - Seattle Sounders FC

Fredy Montero - Seattle Sounders FC

MLS Comeback Player of the Year Finalists

Brian McBride - Chicago Fire

Ben Olsen - D.C. United

Zach Thornton - Chivas USA

MLS Coach of the Year Finalists

Bruce Arena - LA Galaxy

Sigi Schmid - Seattle Sounders FC Robert Warzycha - Columbus Crew

Rookie of the Year Finalists

Stefan Frei - Toronto FC

Omar Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy

Chris Pontius - D.C. United

Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Finalists

Jeff Cunningham - FC Dallas

Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy

Shalrie Joseph - New England Revolution

Awards Announcements Schedule:

Schedule subject to change

Monday, November 16

MLS Best XI

Wednesday, November 18

Goal of the Year presented by AT&T

Save of the Year presented by Degree Men

Thursday, November 19

Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player

Saturday, November 21

MLS Commissioner's Award


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Major League Soccer Stories from November 12, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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